Re: Thoughts on VTL solutions

The problem with this entire thread is Laurence needs to hire a consultant
that does not have a predisposition to specific products and has the
background in IBM i needed to help him and his organization through this
project.

Larry, Pete, me, and several others on this list are in that category.
Several partners are represented.

100% agree. Problem is there is very little IBMi expertise in the
organisation and it's all outsourced to IBM. So sort of asking the wolf to
manage the chickens :-). And there are no IBMi consultants that are readily
available.

So I turn to this list to get some independent advice,

Budget is an issue but not a big one. But to have one solution offered at
$X and IBM's solution at 3$X does mean I need to ask around to ensure my
sponsor that we are getting the best value. And even with the DSI solution
I have been told I need to go to DSI to get the final price and support. So
in all conscience I need to look around.

While it’s an interesting topic there also too many variables involved,
then toss in vendors who see an opportunity and you have a spiderweb to
crawl through.

For readers of this thread that many have been confused by the back and
forth of it. Budget does have a role in deciding the outcome, but someone
has to make a determination if budget or end goals are more important.
That will light the path to the end.

Our end goals are very clear. Duplicate the SLA's and functionality of the
current environment (also with support outsourced to IBM) and make it
better if possible.